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The 11 Categories of Real Estate Tech Ecosystem

The multi-billion dollar real estate industry has always been labeled as the hardest market to disrupt due to its long-standing convention and status quo. In 2014, Zoopla’s 1.6 billion IPO has successfully brightened up the future for real estate startups and also created the phenomenal buzz word: Real Estate Tech.

A marketplace that connects consumers to agents. This model facilitates the process of property search, including buy, rent, residential or commercial entities. HK-based Spacious focuses on Asian markets and has raised more than USD$3.5M to date.

2. C2C Marketplace

A consumer-to-consumer model cuts out the broker in between consumers and landlords. An example is Bangalore-based NoBroker which has raised USD$13M to date.

3. Tech-equipped Agency

This commonly refers to startups that combine stunning technology with listing platform-based service and in-house agents. HK-based startup Okay.com is a fine example.

4. O2O Agency

These Online-to-offline startups combine platforms, in-house agents as well as offline storefronts. This model is commonly adopted in Asia. Shenzhen-based QFang falls into this category.

5. VR Viewing

Startups that provide virtual reality viewing. Developers engage these startups during new projects launches but there seems to be a prevailing trend of incorporating VR into the second-hand property market as well. HK-based startup Parrallax, an HK Finalist in MIPIM Startup Competition , is one to look out for.

6. Crowdfunding

This refers to startups that operate in the form of a crowdfunding platform, allowing investors to participate in real estate investment by debt or equity financing. An example is Beijing-based Meiaoju which has raised over USD$8M.

7. Mortgage Solutions

This refers to businesses that provide mortgage solutions to consumers and agents. With the success of raising USD$98M to date, SF-based LendingHome is a fine example in this area.

8. Property and Leasing Management

The aim is to streamline the property management process, as well as make renting painless.Portland-based Cozy has raised over USD $9M operating with this model.

9. Sales & Marketing

Some businesses provide powerful sales & marketing tools to real estate agents. South Carolina-based Boomtown is leading with their rather unusual positioning and has raised over USD$20M to date.

10. Agent Matching

Agent matching, rather literally, connects consumers directly to quality agents. An example is SF-based HomeLight, which raised over USD$15m to date.

11. Big Data & Analytics

By collecting and crunching data, startups provide analytics and insights to owners, agents, and investors with the real estate industry. NY based CompStak, raising over USD$14M, falls into this category.

Ever since starting in real estate technology in 2012, I am grateful to have been involved (directly and indirectly) in 6 of the above categories. My prediction is that the real estate tech ecosystem will grow organically couple years down the road whereas startups will focus more on niche and segmented markets, resulting in more innovative RE models/Categories to spin out. Let us keep a close eye on the future’s development.

Published by Benny Hui

Asia real estate tech pioneer, a hybrid of tech X biz guy that enjoy building startups from hands-on operation to country entry strategies. Have solid experience in bootstrapping startups to multimillion-dollar exits.
View all posts by Benny Hui